Polls only in 2014, no threat to govt: Chidambaram

The government is unperturbed over opposition plans to move motions over issues, including FDI in retail, in the coming session of Parliament as it is confident of support from all allies.

The government is preparing for elections in 2014 and not before, finance minister P Chidambaram said here today asserting that there was no threat to its stability.

The government is unperturbed over opposition plans to move motions over issues, including FDI in retail, in the coming session of Parliament as it is confident of support from all allies.

"We are not threatened. Government is completely stable. Government will complete its term. Government will hold elections in May 2014," Chidambaram told PTI.

Asked if the government apprehends any problem from restive allies like DMK, SP or BSP, he said, "no".

He downplayed the announcement of the first list of candidates for Lok Sabha polls by ally SP yesterday, the senior Congress leader said, "Allies does not mean......they are independent political parties."

When told that SP is a Congress ally and its announcement of candidates is being read as elections could be held early, Chidambaram said, "that does not mean that elections are round the corner. That means parties are preparing well in advance for the May 2014 elections."

In this context, he noted that Congress has also announced a Coordination Committee under Rahul Gandhi and three sub-groups to prepare for elections to be held in 2014.

"That does not mean that elections are round the corner," he said, adding "like any other political party, my party also expects to return to government." (MORE) PTI AMR SPG AKK VSC 11171528 NNNN